Business education. The professional master program: seeking its own identity

Abstract

This paper intends to identify and analyze important issues in the discussion about the Executive Master Programs (Mestrado Modalidade Profissional, MPA) in Brazil. Starting with a general view about the requirements that motivate the executive development programs more important in Brazil (Lato Sensu Postgraduate or Certificate Level Programs and Stricto Sensu Postgraduate or Master of Science and Executive Master Business Administration Programs), it characterizes the response conditions by each one of them related to these requirements. At the same time, it introduces the notion of competence as a key issue to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs. Finally, based on these issues and characterizing the advantages of MPA programs, it concludes by identifying the reasons that have stimulated its strong dissemination in the general executive development programs.